Microsoft Launches Monitor in Power Platform to Deliver Real-Time App Health Insights

Microsoft has announced the general availability of Monitor in Power Platform, designed to provide effortless visibility and insights for apps and flows. The update aims to help users stay informed and address issues more proactively.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What is Monitor?

  Monitor gives makers real-time performance and health insights for the apps they own or co-author directly in make.powerapps.com. Admins and governance teams can also use it in the Power Platform admin center to oversee resources across tenants.

• What’s included?

  Get operational health metrics and tailored recommendations for canvas apps, model-driven apps, cloud flows, and desktop flows.

• Why use Monitor?

  Quickly detect underperforming resources, understand the impact on users and business processes, and follow guided steps to fix issues before they escalate.

• How to get started

  Monitor is generally available and enabled by default — no setup needed. Just start monitoring today.

GPT-5 Arrives in Visual Studio via GitHub Copilot

OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-5, is now available in GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio, delivering faster responses and improved code assistance. Developers can explore how this upgrade enhances productivity and coding workflows in the full announcement below.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What does GPT-5 do?

  It’s faster, smarter, and better at understanding your code, helping you turn ideas into working solutions with less friction.

• Why it matters to you

  You’ll see sharper reasoning for complex problems, cleaner and more maintainable code, and clearer explanations so you know exactly what’s changing.

• Availability

  GPT-5 began rolling out to all paid Copilot plans on August 12, 2025, and is available in both Agent Mode and Ask Mode. If it’s not showing up in your model picker yet, hang tight — it’s arriving to everyone soon.

• For Copilot Enterprise and Business users

  Your admin just needs to switch on the GPT-5 policy in settings, and you’ll be able to pick it right inside Visual Studio.

Visual Studio 2015 Reaches End of Support — Time to Upgrade

Microsoft has issued a reminder that extended support for Visual Studio 2015 ends on October 14, 2025—after that, no further updates or security patches will be available. Developers are urged to migrate to Visual Studio 2022, which brings significant enhancements including AI-assisted coding and built-in Git and GitHub support.

Here are the dates you need to know:

• Visual Studio 2015 – Extended support for all versions, including associated products, runtimes, and components, will officially end on October 14, 2025, after which no updates will be provided.

• Visual Studio 2017 (version 15.9) – This version will remain in extended support until April 13, 2027, during which only security-related fixes will be released.

• Visual Studio 2019 (version 16.11) – This version will remain in extended support until April 10, 2028, with updates limited solely to security fixes.

• Visual Studio 2022 (version 17.14) – Mainstream support for this version will end on January 12, 2027, transitioning to extended support until January 13, 2032, which will include only security fixes.

  • Version 17.10 LTSC will be supported until January 13, 2026, after which no updates will be provided.

  • Version 17.12 will be supported until July 14, 2026, after which no updates will be provided.

Microsoft Adds GPT-5 to Power Apps Generative Pages for Smarter, Leaner Page Creation

Power Apps generative pages just got a major boost with the addition of GPT-5, delivering sharper output, faster builds, and more reliable results. A new model selector now lets makers choose the AI that best fits their project needs, unlocking greater flexibility and control.

Here’s what you need to know:

• GPT-5 Arrives

  Released on August 7, 2025, GPT-5 is now available in vibe coding, delivering better code quality, fewer failures, and faster performance.

• Model Selector Added

  You can now switch between GPT-4.1 and GPT-5—choosing the model that best fits your project needs.

• Quality-of-Life Enhancements

  • This update also packs in usability upgrades, including:

  • Expanded context window for fewer missed requirements in long sessions

  • Better fallback styling to preserve app design

  • Image attachment retention during retries

  • More helpful error messages for invalid requests

  • Warnings when another user edits the same page

  • Improved undo/restore for error scenarios

Smarter AI, Seamless Code Edits: A New Era for Visual Studio Copilot

Microsoft has unveiled a significant upgrade to Visual Studio Copilot, aiming for smoother and more trustworthy AI-powered edits in development workflows. The update tackles a long-standing challenge—how to integrate AI-sourced suggestions into live codebases without introducing errors or conflicts, delivering smarter and cleaner editing.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The Challenge:

  Early versions of Visual Studio Copilot struggled with inserting AI-generated edits into existing files—often causing inconsistencies or even breaking the code, especially with complex changes.

• What’s New?

  Copilot now delivers smarter, more reliable edits thanks to larger-context models and a new technique called speculative decoding.

• How Speculative Decoding Works:

  This technique combines a fast model with a more accurate one. The fast model predicts edits in advance, and the smarter model steps in only when needed—to refine or validate those predictions. The result: faster, more accurate AI-assisted editing.

• Speed + Precision

  Edits are streamed token-by-token, allowing you to see your code update line by line in real time—providing both responsiveness and clarity during the editing process.

• What’s Next?

  This innovation is paving the way for Agent Mode in Visual Studio Copilot, where AI doesn't just suggest improvements—it helps execute them intelligently.

5 GitHub Copilot Prompts Every .NET Developer Should Know

Microsoft’s .NET team has unveiled five Copilot Chat prompts crafted to dramatically boost .NET developers’ workflow — covering code explanations, async conversion, test generation, security analysis, and mock data generation. These prompts are positioned as simple yet transformative tools to streamline legacy refactoring, improve quality, and foster security-aware coding practices. .NET developers are encouraged to “steal” these prompts and adapt them to fit team conventions and project needs.

Here are five prompts every .NET dev should try today:

1. “Explain this code and suggest optimizations”

   Perfect for inherited projects or old code. Drop your C# files into Copilot Chat and get explanations plus tips for improving performance, readability, and maintainability.

2. “Write unit tests for this method/class”

   Testing doesn’t have to slow you down. Let Copilot Chat generate xUnit, MSTest, or NUnit tests that ensure coverage and catch edge cases.

3. “Convert this code to use async/await”

   Boost responsiveness and scalability by modernizing synchronous code. Copilot Chat helps apply best practices for asynchronous programming.

4. “Find and fix potential security issues in this snippet”

   Let AI review your code for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and more—before it reaches production.

5. “Generate sample data or mock objects for this model”

   Need mock data fast? Whether for prototyping or testing, Copilot Chat can generate realistic objects to simulate real-world scenarios.

Microsoft Launches Dynamics 365 Agent Hub for Safe, Transparent AI Adoption

Microsoft has introduced Agent Hub in Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Contact Center to give admins a centralized hub for deploying AI with confidence. The platform offers enhanced visibility into active AI agents, controlled rollout options, and performance dashboards that align with compliance and ROI goals. With its pillars of Learn, Rollout, and Measure, Agent Hub addresses governance, transparency, and value measurement in enterprise AI adoption.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What is Agent Hub?

  A centralized workspace that empowers customer service and contact center admins to safely deploy AI, monitor its impact, and make data-driven, ethical decisions.

• Why does it matter?

  AI Agent Hub brings together transparency, governance, ROI, and insights—all in one place.

Here’s how it works, across 3 key pillars:

1. Learn

   Explore clear, guided overviews of AI agents, security protocols, and compliance implications—so decision-makers can move forward with confidence.

2. Rollout

   Use the Rollout Manager to activate AI agents and workflows based on specific intents and business rules—your AI, your rules.

3. Measure

   Monitor what matters. Get real-time performance dashboards showing KPIs like autonomous rate, resolution rate, handle time, and more.

Streamline Your Data Compliance: Mastering SARs with Dynamics 365 and Infinity Buttons

In the digital age, managing personal data and adhering to stringent regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is no longer optional – it's a business imperative. For organizations leveraging Microsoft's powerful ecosystem, including Dynamics 365, Dataverse, and the Power Platform, efficiently handling Subject Access Requests (SARs) is a critical component of GDPR compliance. This is where Magnetism Solutions' Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip becomes an invaluable asset.

Understanding the SAR Obligation

A Subject Access Request (SAR) is a fundamental right granted to individuals under GDPR. It allows them to request access to their personal data that an organization holds, and to receive a copy of that data. Responding to SARs promptly and accurately is crucial for maintaining trust and avoiding potential penalties.

The process involves identifying, retrieving, and providing all personal data related to the individual making the request. This can be a complex undertaking, especially when data is scattered across various systems and applications.

The Power of the Microsoft Ecosystem for Data Management

Dynamics 365, Dataverse, and the Power Platform offer a robust foundation for managing customer data. Dataverse, as the underlying data backbone, centralizes information, while Dynamics 365 applications provide specialized CRM functionalities. The Power Platform, including Power Apps and Power Automate, allows for the creation of custom solutions to enhance these capabilities.

However, even within this integrated environment, extracting data in a format suitable for SAR responses can still require significant manual effort. This is where specialized tools can make a substantial difference.

Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip – Your SAR Compliance Solution

Magnetism Solutions' Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip is specifically designed to simplify the SAR process for users of Dynamics 365, Dataverse, and the Power Platform. This add-on empowers your organization to:

• Effortlessly Extract Data: With a single click, you can extract all relevant data from a specific record within Dynamics 365 or Dataverse. This includes not only the primary record's information but also related entities and activities, ensuring a comprehensive response to SARs.

• Generate Data in a Standard Format: The extracted data is packaged into a convenient ZIP file, typically containing CSV files. This standardized format makes it easy for individuals to access and review their personal information, aligning with GDPR's requirements for accessible data.

• Enhance Power Apps and Power Automate Workflows: Infinity Buttons can be seamlessly integrated into custom Power Apps or triggered via Power Automate flows. This allows for automated SAR data retrieval as part of broader compliance workflows, further streamlining the process.

• Reduce Manual Effort and Errors: By automating the data extraction, Infinity Buttons significantly reduces the time and effort your team spends on SAR responses. This minimizes the risk of human error and ensures consistency in your data handling.

• Strengthen GDPR Compliance: Demonstrating a clear and efficient process for handling SARs is a key aspect of GDPR compliance. Infinity Buttons provides the tools to meet these obligations effectively, building confidence with your customers and regulators.

Achieve Seamless SAR Management

For businesses committed to GDPR and leveraging the Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365, or Dataverse, Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip offers a powerful and practical solution for managing Subject Access Requests. By simplifying data extraction and ensuring compliance, you can focus on your core business while maintaining the highest standards of data protection.

Discover how Infinity Buttons can transform your SAR compliance strategy. Visit https://www.magnetismsolutions.com/products/infinity-buttons-record-to-zip to learn more.

Simplify Subject Access Requests (SARs) with Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip

In today's data-driven world, complying with data protection regulations like the UK's Data Protection Act 2018 is paramount for businesses. One of the key aspects of this legislation is the Subject Access Request (SAR), which grants individuals the right to access their personal data held by an organization. Handling SARs efficiently and accurately can be a complex and time-consuming process, but with the right tools, it doesn't have to be.

Magnetism Solutions' Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip is an add-on for Dynamics 365 CRM, Dataverse, and the Power Platform, designed to streamline the process of fulfilling SARs. This powerful tool allows you to easily extract all relevant customer data from a record into a single, downloadable ZIP file.[1]

Understanding Subject Access Requests (SARs)

The Data Protection Act 2018, in line with GDPR, gives individuals the right to ask organizations if they are using or storing their personal information and to request copies of that data.[2] This is known as the right of access, or a Subject Access Request (SAR). Organizations typically have one month to respond to a SAR, although this can be extended for complex requests.[3]

When making a SAR, individuals are advised to include specific details to help organizations locate the information, such as their name, contact details, and any relevant account or customer numbers.[2] The UK government's Home Office, for example, outlines a process for individuals to request personal information held within their immigration systems, detailing the types of information that can be requested and the supporting evidence required.[4]

Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip addresses the challenges of SAR compliance by automating and simplifying the data extraction process. Here's how it helps:

• Effortless Data Extraction: With a single click, you can extract all data associated with a Dynamics 365 record, including related records and activities.[1] This eliminates the need for manual data collation, saving valuable time and reducing the risk of errors.

• Customizable Extraction: The tool allows you to select specific fields for extraction or choose to include all attributes. You can also extract related records, ensuring you provide a comprehensive yet tailored response to SARs.[1]

• GDPR Adherence: By providing individuals with their data in an easily accessible ZIP file format, Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip helps organizations comply with GDPR regulations.[1] This transparency builds trust and confidence with your customers.

• Improved Efficiency: Save your team hours of manual work. The product automates the extraction process, ensuring accurate and up-to-date data is provided efficiently.[1]

• Secure Data Sharing: The extracted data is saved as CSV files within a ZIP format, making it easy to store, share, and manage.[1]

Meeting Your Compliance Needs

Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip is designed for businesses using Dynamics 365 CRM, Dataverse, or the Power Platform. It's an intuitive solution that ensures you can meet your SAR obligations effectively, providing a clear and organized response to data access requests.[1]

By leveraging this tool, companies can navigate the complexities of data protection legislation with greater ease, ensuring they remain compliant while maintaining strong customer relationships.

To learn more about how Infinity Buttons: Record to Zip can help your organization, visit https://www.magnetismsolutions.com/products/infinity-buttons-record-to-zip.